Springfield R-12 faces injury lawsuit for school bus crash

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Springfield R-12 school district and a man who was driving one of the district's school buses are facing a civil lawsuit after a 2023 crash involving a bus allegedly left a woman with injuries and disability.

The two-count petition for the personal injury lawsuit — which was filed Monday, April 28, in Greene County — alleges that Erin Jensen was stopped at a red light in her 2022 Kia Sorento on South Kimbrough Ave. in Springfield on Oct. 2, 2023.

The school bus — driven by David Leeper, who's also listed as a defendant in the lawsuit — made a right turn and struck the front passenger side of Jensen's vehicle, the petition says.

As a result of the wreck, Jensen was made "sick, sore, lame, disordered and disabled," the petition alleges. Additionally, the petition alleges she suffered extensive injuries including injuries to her neck, back, head, left shoulder, left hip and left leg.

The petition asks for damages over $50,000, as well as the costs of the suit and any other relief the court deems just and proper.

Ozarks First reached out to Springfield R-12 for comment on Monday and have not received a response as of this article's publishing.